Professional Documents
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Idries Shah - Declaration of The People
Idries Shah - Declaration of The People
People of the
Tradition
Idries Shah
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Twenty-Two Principles
1. Certain things can be studied anywhere and at any time.
Others can be studied only at certain moments and under
certain conditions. The things that can be studied at any
time are given to people so that they can study them. The
others are introduced or emphasized when the right time
comes. This last decision comes from the teacher and
cannot be put in a programme.
2. Make a list of the qualities which you like in other
people. Study each one of them and ask yourself which of
these virtues you have and which you lack.
3. In this work, change is one of the most important things.
If a change occurs and you perceive its connection with
essential facts -- so much the better. But if there is a
"change," and you are incapable of grasping its connection
with the totality, this is inherent in your situation. If you
were really able to understand the pattern of it all, you
would not be where you are now. Let understanding
develop. Beyond a certain point, you cannot struggle to try
to understand without, at least, receiving some help.
4. We are in a situation in which we have an immense
debt. Recognition of this fact is preserved mainly in the
functioning of what is regarded as "Conscience," one of the
few remains of a certain knowledge. In reflecting
attentively on this matter, you become aware that in reality,
the debt is towards the teaching as you know it. Therefore,
be conscientious and bring your power of concentration to
bear upon the teaching, the only way that can guide thought
in the right direction. In your own interest you should be
grateful to your master. This does not mean that he needs
your gratitude in the form that you experience it; but he has
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should not interpret his words and his actions in the way
you would do with just anyone you may happen to meet.
With other people, behaviour is the result of factors which
have no connection with the work. Their motives are
different. There is a typical procedure which consists in
"throwing out" material so that people can collect it and
study it. One must not have to remind you of this.
18. What is known is the bridge towards the unknown. By
means of things we can grasp, we arrive at things which we
should not have been able to grasp previously. Unless the
mind is exactly and correctly prepared, the right result
cannot be obtained.
19. The artificial character of our lives tends to divide our
consciousness in such a way that things that are essentially
the same appear to be different. Things which are really
connected seem to be quite separate from one another. It is
necessary to see things as they really are. In our work, this
comes through our activity in the world and not otherwise.
20. There are different kinds of awakening. A man may be
asleep: but he should wake up in the right way. It is also
necessary that when he does wake up, he should have the
means of making full use of his waking state. Our present
task is to prepare this desirable end, as well as to prepare
for awakening.
21. The influence of mechanicalness is constantly
increasing its grip upon man and even tends to take
possession of the system destined to struggle with it once
the flexibility of this system is spoiled. The result is a
double mechanicalness, because something which was
originally good and has been corrupted can go wrong worse
than something less important.
22. Self-observation and work on oneself are absolutely
necessary. Nevertheless, this work must be balanced by
work for the group and for the teaching. For this reason,
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